From left, Jenna Humphreys, Katie Hyatt, Rachel Daelemans, Cameron Gleason, Bryleigh Mims and Courtney Frere of Girl Scout Troop 198 work together to make a blanket at Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts in Prince Frederick. The blanket was one of many donated to Calvert Hospice.

Individuals within Calvert Hospice care and some who receive help from the Calvert County Department of Social Services received a little more warmth this winter season thanks to local Girl Scouts.

Girl Scout troops 641 and 198 came Nov. 17 to Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts in Prince Frederick to make blankets for those in need. The event, called “Blankets for the Needy,” was hosted by the store, which invited girl scouts from the county to join the cause.

The girls donated their time, and their parents donated money to buy the fabric.

“Four beautiful blankets made with heart left there that day for those that need it most,” Genie Carroll, leader of Girl Scout Troop 641, said. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of my girls. They were so happy to do this.”

A total of 14 blankets, one per girl, were donated to Calvert Hospice and the Calvert County Department of Social Services.

“[The girls learned] to help others that are less fortunate than themselves,” Carroll said. “That’s why they wanted to do it again.”

Carroll said the girls from Troop 641 are now working on making 10 blankets, with donations from their parents and Carroll, for the Safe Harbor women’s and children’s shelter in Prince Frederick. The blankets will be made during troop meetings and will be finished and delivered after their Dec. 9 meeting.

Adult Day Care committees forming

Adult Day Care of Calvert County, a local independent nonprofit organization, is in search of volunteers to serve on either of the following committees: the Community Caregiver Support Committee and the Event Planning and Organizing Committee. At least six committee members with a desire to make a difference in the local community are needed for each committee to proceed.

The launch of the Community Caregiver Support Committee is dependent entirely upon community volunteers with the goal of creating a non-medical, social environment designed for people with memory loss and their caregivers. The committee members will be on the ground floor of planning ways to support anyone in Calvert County who is faced with caregiver challenges, especially with caring for someone with dementia, a press release states.

To inquire about serving on a committee, contact Ruth Lake at director.adc@gmail.com or 410-535-0133. To donate to the program, go to www.adcofcalvertcounty.org.

Light show to feature night entertainment

Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center in Solomons has announced the complete entertainment schedule for Annmarie Garden in Lights, the center’s award-winning holiday light show. The theme for this year’s light show is “Celebrate Museums — Annmarie Style.” Enjoy the light sculptures of the Museum of Popular Culture, the Air & Space Museum, Annmarie’s Zoological Park, the Museum of the American West, Annmarie’s Art Gallery, the Aquarium and the Botanical Garden. Entertainment and special nights, including Visit with Santa Night and free military nights, are offered throughout the 22-day event. For the full schedule, go to www.annmariegarden.org.

Solomons Christmas Walk coming up

The annual Solomons Christmas Walk will be Friday, Dec. 6, and Saturday, Dec. 7. In addition to all of the attractions in Solomons, from Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center’s Garden in Lights to the lighted boat parade, the Calvert Marine Museum is offering its own holiday delights for visitors of all ages. The Museum Store will be open both nights from 6 to 9 p.m. and is stocked with jewelry, home décor, clothing, toys, books and more.

On both Friday and Saturday, the museum will host local musical acts beginning at 6 p.m. Performances this year include Cosmic Flute Choir, Patuxent Voices and Southern Maryland Sound on Friday and Bruce Rider & Friends and Patuxent High Orchestra on Saturday. Santa will be on hand both nights. Watch for an appearance from the museum otter.

Children can create a holiday craft to take home. Enjoy punch and cookies Friday and Santa’s Coffee House on Saturday, offering complimentary coffee, hot cocoa and holiday cookies.

To learn more, go to http://solomonsmaryland.com/solomons-christmas-walk.html.

Tweens write letters to troops at library

Calvert Library recently hosted an event for tweens to honor veterans, called Letters to Troops. The evening focused on the importance of writing to men and women actively serving in the military, a press release states. Veteran Louie Cano shared his experiences with the students, particularly how as a 17-year-old, receiving communication from home kept him going. Community volunteer and military mom Gail Black shared her experiences in writing to her son and her role in supporting others who are far away from their families. The 15 tweens then had time to write their own letters to troops and draw pictures to be sent. The following is an example written by a local tween:

Dear Hero,

First, I want to say thank you for serving. I know I don’t know who you are but I know you are an amazing and wonderful person. I know you probably miss your family very much. I live in Maryland. It is very cold here. I’m 12 years old and I have one sister and she’s 6 and very crazy. Some of my family members have served in the Navy. And my mom’s friend had to serve overseas and we kept her kids for a year. I hope you get a lot more letters from other kids and when you get back home, I know your family will be very happy to see you. Thank you for serving our country!

On Jan. 14, 2014, students in grades 5, 6, and 7 will come together again in Prince Frederick at 6:30 p.m. for the library’s “Packages & Pizza” event to pack the items collected and decorate boxes to be shipped overseas. The January event is open to all tweens.

War of 1812 speaker series to feature performance

Historical musicians Donald Shomette and Gary Rue and Company will perform “1812: Tide of War” at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, in the new auditorium at the College of Southern Maryland Prince Frederick Campus. This original musical presentation describes Maryland’s role in the events of the War of 1812. This lecture is part of the War of 1812: A Legacy of Division series, which offers a wide range of perspectives on this “forgotten conflict,” a press release states.

The series is presented in celebration of the War of 1812 Bicentennial by Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, in partnership with the Calvert Marine Museum and CSM. Funding is provided by the Maryland Humanities Council, Friends of Jefferson Patterson Park, Star-Spangled 200 Inc. and the marine museum. Post-lecture discussions led by either Ralph Eshelman or Bradley Gottfried will facilitate a dialogue between the presenter and the audience. For more information, go to www.jefpat.org or www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.

Pat Carpenter Holiday Parade coming up

The seventh annual Beaches Holiday Parade, renamed the Pat Carpenter Holiday Parade in honor and memory of its founder who died last year, will begin at noon Saturday, Dec. 7, in North Beach. The parade will run along Bay Avenue from First Street to Seventh Street.

Once again, the parade will feature floats from local organizations, schools, churches and businesses, pets and their owners, marching bands, motorcycles, antique cars, the Beach Buccaneers and Santa and Mrs. Claus. Organizations or businesses wishing to join the parade should contact Bob Carpenter at bobcarpenter1957@gmail.com or 703-980-2144. To view the parade, claim a seat no later than 11:45 a.m. along Bay Avenue. Following the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be greeting children on the boardwalk.

UMD Extension to host wood heating workshop

The University of Maryland Extension will host wood heating workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, in the Calvert County Extension Conference Room, 30 Duke St., Prince Frederick. Heating with wood or pellets can dramatically reduce winter heating costs and reduce emissions of residential stoves. This workshop will provide both beginners and experienced wood users with resources for wood burning. Cost is $5 to cover materials. Make checks payable to the University of Maryland (include “Wood Energy Workshop” in the memo section), and mail to UM Extension, P.O. Box 486, Prince Frederick MD 20678. Register by Dec. 6; call 410-535-3662. For more information, go to http://extension.umd.edu/calvert-county.

Calvert Garden Club announces mini grants

The Calvert Garden Club announces a new community outreach established this year. The Mini Grant Program is designed to focus on natural resource preservation and conservation and to broaden the scope of the Calvert Garden Club’s efforts in supporting the community, a press release states. Applicants must be local to Calvert County and be a nonprofit organization, and the project focus must be on conservation of natural resources and the environment.

To apply for a mini grant, go to www.calvertgardenclub.com and complete the Mini Grant Application. The application may be downloaded at the CGC Mini Grants tab. Completed applications are due by Feb. 1, 2014. Grant awards will be announced in March. For additional information, call 410-610-1787.

Marine museum store announces holiday hours

The Calvert Marine Museum Store will be open until 3 p.m. Christmas Eve for those last-minute shoppers. Although the museum will be closed to the public Dec. 24 and 25, the museum store will open its doors at 10 a.m. Christmas Eve. The museum will re-open Thursday, Dec. 26, and is offering special events the rest of the week, such as Focus on Fossils and Maritime Day. To learn more about the schedule of special events, go to www.calvertmarinemuseum.com/events/calendar.php?mo=12&yr=2013.